BERLIN • A team of Christian priests thrashed a group of imams 12-1 to win Germany's first soccer cup between religious leaders yesterday, but it was all hugs and smiles after the match to promote tolerance. "We have tried for such a long time to strengthen the contact between the three faiths - Judaism, Christianity and Islam," said Imam Taha, who captained the Muslim squad. "I think we can say we have achieved that today." Around 100 spectators cheered and waved banners during the seven-a-side match, played under the eagle eyes of two Jewish linesmen one month before the World Cup kicks off in Germany. There were plenty of goals, unholy swearing and a jersey swap after the match. "That was a pretty tough game," said Roland Herpich, a Protestant priest in Berlin-Wilmersdorf and captain of the Christian team. "They were really strong on the ball, but when it came to running we were better - so the cup is ours for now at least," he said, clutching the golden trophy in his hands. Both teams agreed to make the match an annual event. Around 3 percent of Germany's 82 million-strong population is Muslim, while the Jewish community accounts for 0.1 per cent. Like other European nations, Germany is having a heated debate about how to integrate immigrants and how tolerant a mainly Christian society should be of other religious traditions. Spectators and players said they just wanted to get to know their neighbours without emotionally charged debates about religious issues or international conflict. "Of course it is important to talk about your faith and about big issues to others," said Rabbi Walter Rothschild, watching his son working as a linesman. "But normally in such events everyone ends up just pussyfooting around, trying to avoid politics and drinking cups of tea - now this is very different, very refreshing and just a very normal way of spending a day."
